Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has urged the introduction of legal provisions to allow for the dismissal and prosecution of election commissioners for misconduct, even after their retirement.
This demand forms part of the party’s broader reform agenda submitted to the National Consensus Commission.
Speaking to journalists during a break in an extended dialogue held at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher criticised the current legal framework for lacking adequate mechanisms to hold commissioners accountable for failing to conduct free and fair elections.
“For the past 15 years, and even earlier, the Election Commission has been responsible for conducting fair elections, but many have failed in this duty,” Dr Taher said.
“Our existing laws offer almost no means to penalise commissioners for misconduct.
While the Supreme Judicial Council can act against them during their tenure, we believe accountability should extend beyond their term of office.”
The meeting was part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to draft a National Charter through inclusive political dialogue.
National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz, who opened the session, emphasised the commission’s commitment to building broad consensus swiftly and announced that the second phase of talks with political parties would begin soon.
Sunday’s discussions with Jamaat-e-Islami marked the second round following an initial meeting on 26 April and focused on unresolved issues related to proposals put forward by the earlier-established Reform Commission. Jamaat had formally submitted its recommendations on 20 March.
The Jamaat delegation, led by Dr Taher and comprising 11 members, presented several additional proposals during the session.
Highlighting declining public trust in the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Jamaat proposed the creation of an independent watchdog task force to oversee the ACC’s activities.
“This task force would have the authority to recommend disciplinary action against any ACC official found involved in corruption,” Dr Taher explained, noting that commission members expressed general agreement with the proposal.
Jamaat reiterated its call for the separation of party leadership from executive office, insisting that no individual should simultaneously hold the positions of head of government and party leader.
“This is a common global practice,” Dr Taher said. The party also proposed a two-term limit for prime ministers, capping service at a maximum of ten years in total.
While supporting the formation of the National Constitutional Council (NCC) in principle, Jamaat suggested amendments to its composition. “We believe the Chief Justice and Head of State should be excluded from the NCC to preserve their neutrality during national crises,” Dr Taher stated.
Also present at the meeting were Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Md Ayub Mia, and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider.
Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz remarked that the first round of consultations was nearing completion and confirmed that the commission would soon initiate the second phase of talks aimed at forging a national consensus.
